Monument Health prepares for coronavirus

Governor Kristi Noem has already warned that state about the dangers of coronavirus. Here in the Black Hills, Monument Health has a plan in place should the coronavirus show up.

The hospital says that it is well prepared in case this strain of the coronavirus makes it to Rapid City. Safety measures are very similar to flu-prevention.

The first step is to quickly get to the bottom of a patient’s symptoms and identify whether it is the strain known as COVID-19.  Then they would isolate the patient and inform the state that there is a case.

They say, basic hygiene practices are still the best way to prevent the spread of the disease.

 “I recommend washing hands all the time to prevent any spread of disease, so hand sanitizers are very effective at that and so is washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds,” says Ty White, the Director of Infection Prevention Control at Monument Health.  

Also note that there’s no proof that wearing a mask will keep you from getting sick. It is proven that wearing a mask will prevent you from spreading the disease if you’re carrying the virus. Those who are already sick are encouraged to wear a mask.

Due to the fact that it’s a viral disease, all doctors can do is treat the symptoms and let the disease run its course.